crystalspin

You do have it right as it currently exists. The video was probably right when it was made, as that was the situation forever until they tried the Have-It-All-And-More on one ship ("the Westerdam is the TesterDam") and then adopted the difference+18% fleetwide.

As is the appreciation (another term for the daily grats making the rounds) for the dining room and Lido stewards, as well as behind the scenes crew like kitchen and laundry. That's one reason you are scanned in at the MDR -- I guess if they don't have you down as eating in the MDR or a specialty restaurant they figure you ate at the Lido?

I would jump on the $99 for a 2024 B2B2B ($600) if refundable. I think the $1 deposit didn't help them much, and now they've swung the other way (and it won't help them much).

Not on website as a promo nor showing even if I complete the booking up to the Summary page.

Love the bar slips. Don't have to BRING a stack of $1s on board nor remember to carry them around. Or $5s to try to find that favorite drink steward on the last full day... Maybe they could ask if you want one? But not if the purpose is to track or prove you got the drink. Just sign with your initials?

Cliff, you can do that on the Surf plan. You would only need one plan between you (unlike the HIA that must be bought for both). Don't have to do it ahead if not buying Premium for whole trip, just ask where is internet desk on the first day after your muster "drill" is accomplished. Ask about a day here a day there instead of the whole cruise.

The photographers (I have heard and believe) are rewarded by how many pics they take, secondarily if at all, by how many sell. I now pledge to let them shoot me as long as I don't feel I am a hot mess! That gives us something else to do (try to find our pics in the gallery), and who knows a miracle of a good photo may be found!

There is no more Social Plan, at least on ships with the new system (which name escapes me). Only Surf and Premium. Premium includes Audio and Video apps, Surf does not. Cruise Wi-Fi Plans & Internet Packages (hollandamerica.com)

Except it is already late in the day on August 25 2023 and there is no mention (just the random BAD REQUEST errors) on HAL website.

I get postal mail from HAL and only HAL. I get email from HAL and Princess (whom I have booked but never sailed, but I do have a PVP with them). I get occasional email from Oceania -- I think I took part in a contest to name a new ship? I get no contact at all from Royal Caribbean or Norwegian despite having sailed once each. So no one appears to be sharing my address!

If I understand the question, the answer is no. The $15 drink that is $7.50 at happy hour, does not become covered by the Signature ($11) Beverage Package. However, any time you want to have a drink over $11, you will be charged the difference plus 18% of the difference -- or $4.72 for the $15 drink. I think this is true of drinks even over the $15 that is the Elite Beverage Package limit.

https://rogerjett-photography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Tamarind-2023.pdf Thanks to @Crew News

The "only guarantee" (we pick your room) option will be the only choice if the cruise is nearly sold out, but with you checking several cruises, I am guessing it is the website, which has been wonky since over the last weekend (if not forever). I would call them, and recommend getting a PCC as 0106 suggested. Or if you use a TA, they may be able to see availability... or not. If you want to go the PCC way, call that number and stay on to where it offers a live person during business hours, and ask to be assigned.

What cruiseline?

It was a toilet back-up, not a raw sewage disaster. If someone refused to be moved to a "lesser" cabin (because the few Neptunes were indeed taken), that's on them. $2000 is not nothing.

The answer to the title question is, NO. That would be a closely-guarded secret. I am guessing you are looking at the combined east and west Feb 4 sailing, in a Signature Suite. I just saw exactly ONE, and yes, only on Deck 7. Now when I go to look, I am getting an error, but HAL website has been throwing errors since at least Saturday, so that might not mean the last one is taken! By looking at the 7-day East and West, I find two Signatures available on both the "halves" of your 14-day. One of them can be made available by Inventory through your TA or PCC. If you want a Signature Suite, I would suggest you pick one that is showing, and book it now. ETA: ps. you will not be able to re-fare to a new perk package, unless there is at least one other cabin of the same class available, as a re-faring is essentially a cancel-and-rebook in the same cabin -- so another has to be available!

The photos I sent to your other post show entirely covered in at least two directions.

You have posted your question on a thread about a different topic on a different ship. I have been reading that cruise ships pay much more than (for example) freighters, and will get priority with what water there is. But I suspect the topic is being discussed to death on this board: https://boards.cruisecritic.com/forum/54-panama-canal/

While you are beneath the smoking side of the Seaview pool and bar, I suspect the deep overhang protects you, at least if the ship is moving. Any cabin under a pool deck can experience the chairs being moved around, sometimes in the middle of the night when deck is 'swabbed down'. Here is a photo gallery with comments (none of which are about your concerns): https://halfacts.com/pinnacle-class/8195-koningsdam/

Name to search, or link?

Here is youtube video of the same type and orientation cabin 6052. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DWkbiZFqeKA

I have used tape and command strips, even command hooks, on mirrors and the glass of picture frames!

I agree with @edspec -- now is the perfect time to write a letter or e-mail to the "younger generation" and request no material gifts. Tell them, gift-cards or PREFERABLY monthly contacts (phone, snail mail, or at least e-mails). You have everything and to spare. I only wish I had kept in touch with my grands, and my dad, when I had the chance. I am trying to make up for it with my mom now that we have moved close. As far as THINGS. We are the ones that UP-SIZED, and I have relieved my siblings of some decorative or meaningful items (my paternal grandparents wedding lunch-set!) that we have room to display. When we are gone, or forced to downsized, those things will go to charity stores, but for now we honor their memories.

I don't know if Roger @Crew News has done cruise-tours? but he is a real photographer!

For me, it has the link back to 1999, but none (up to Jan 2023) open to any file -- just says check back later.